Universities and research institutes call on Council to build on Parliament’s momentum on FP10 and the ECF

Leuven, 27 May 2026

CESAER today publishes a joint statement together with the Coimbra Group, the European University Association (EUA), EU-LIFE, The Guild, LERU and YERUN, calling on the Council to build on the momentum created by the European Parliament’s work on Horizon Europe 2028-2034 (FP10) and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).

• The joint statement is available here for download and dissemination [PDF]

Ahead of the Competitiveness Council meetings on 28 and 29 May 2026, and upcoming Council discussions on the ECF, the signatory organisations encourage the Council to carefully consider the European Parliament’s proposals and move towards coherent, ambitious and operational positions on FP10 and the ECF.

Orla Feely, President of CESAER and President of University College Dublin said:
“Europe needs strong and well-designed EU funding programmes to strengthen its capacity to generate excellent scientific knowledge, accelerate technological development, develop talent and turn research into innovation and impact. The European Parliament has helped move the debate forward, drawing on important contributions from the research and innovation community. As Council now shapes its position, there is a real opportunity to build on this momentum and secure an ambitious framework for Europe’s competitiveness, prosperity and resilience.”

Mattias Björnmalm, Secretary General of CESAER said:
“The debate has moved forward considerably since the Commission’s initial proposal last summer. The Council is now well placed to engage substantively with the advances made by Parliament and the research and innovation community, with the Commission supporting convergence between the co-legislators. This is how Europe can move from ambition to effective delivery on FP10 and the ECF.”

For CESAER, this debate is central to the role of universities of science and technology in Europe’s future competitiveness, prosperity and resilience. Our Members connect frontier research, advanced technology development, talent and skills, research and technology infrastructures, entrepreneurship, industry collaboration and regional innovation ecosystems.

CESAER stands ready to work with the Council, Parliament and Commission to strengthen the proposals and help ensure that FP10 and the ECF deliver for Europe.

For more information, please contact our Senior Advisor for Innovation & Sustainability Louise Drogoul.